Learning Curve in Femtosecond Phaco- Radial Tears in Rhexis

Ophthalmology (May): There is a definite learning curve in femtosecond laser, and most of it has to do with the docking of the machine on the eye and resultant tilt. This can allow for incomplete rhexis with capsular tags (10.5%) which caused radial tears. Complications dropped precipitously after the first 100 cases. Care must be taken during the learning curve to watch for capsular tags and convert them to a curvilinear rhexis. Also, more difficult cortex removal was encountered with femtosecond.